Bell Ringer Standings:
VJ Edgecombe – 1
Tyrese Maxey
All four major professional sports teams in Philadelphia lost over the last two days. It’s very likely the Sixers’ 128-98 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena Friday night will be the most forgettable.
The game was actually much closer than the final score would lead you to believe — and the team was a lot more competitive Friday than either game in Abu Dhabi. Tyrese Maxey didn’t play after the first quarter and a deep bench
group mustered just eight points in the fourth quarter, making the end result extremely lopsided.
The Sixers are now 0-3 in the preseason and will close out their exhibition slate next Friday night against the Timberwolves before the games count.
For now, let’s get to the Bell Ringer.
Tyrese Maxey: 17 points, 2 assists (12 minutes)
Tyrese Maxey played the entire first quarter and looked like Tyrese Maxey. He got off to a bit of a shaky start, but was able to get to just about anywhere he wanted on the floor. The Magic were missing the dogged Jalen Suggs to hound Maxey, but Orlando still boasts a strong defensive team.
Maxey wound up dropping 17 points in 12 minutes. He went 7-of-14 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep. He was decisive and aggressive in his brief stint. He should also get credit for the offense flowing better overall than it did in the pair of losses to the New York Knicks. He looks ready for the regular season.
Dominick Barlow: 12 points, 9 rebounds (6 offensive), 1 steal
If two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker are in a competition for minutes, it’s clear Barlow is winning that battle. He was impressive early, crashing the offensive glass and making two athletic put-backs. He also hung tough defensively with All-Star Paolo Banchero, who shot just 4-of-12 on the night.
There’s a lot to like about Barlow’s game. He plays within himself, makes good decisions with the basketball, and plays hard. His length could also be a huge asset defensively. It’s early days, but the Sixers might’ve found something in this guy.
Kelly Oubre Jr.: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Oubre wasn’t at his best in Abu Dhabi and he didn’t get off to a great start in this one, but the veteran wing also showed where he’s most valuable. He’s a guy that makes stuff happen — good and bad. He’d fallen back into tunnel vision mode to start the preseason and the game Friday.
He was much better in the second quarter when he was basically the offensive initiator with Maxey off the floor. To his credit, Oubre made meaningful strides last season to play more under control and find his teammates. He made a really nice read and pass on a lob to Adem Bona — a play that very likely would’ve been a shot for Oubre for most of his career. And his defense stood out as he was able to get under Franz Wagner’s skin, at one point drawing a flagrant foul.
Kennedy Chandler: 16 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 rebounds
Speaking of guys that just make stuff happen. Chandler definitely falls into that category. While the Tennessee product is on an Exhibit 10 deal and is likely to spend his season down in Delaware, he’s taken advantage of his opportunities with the Sixers. The undersized guard hounded the Magic’s ball handlers and was able to create for the Sixers on offense.
